SURREY
– The eastern section of the new South Fraser Perimeter Road, B.C.’s newest
highway, opens to traffic tomorrow, announced the Honourable Ed Fast, Canada's
Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway and
B.C.’s Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Mary Polak. The new route
will be numbered Highway 17 and will help to strengthen the economy by moving
goods and people more safely and efficiently on the south side of the Fraser
River.

“This
Asia-Pacific Gateway project will not only strengthen the economy and quality
of life for people in Metro Vancouver, it will also help facilitate increased
exports from Canada to fast-growing Asian markets,” said Fast. “This project is
further proof that the partnerships and investments we’ve made in building the
Asia-Pacific Gateway are creating jobs and economic growth in local
communities, while ensuring the competitive advantages of the Asia-Pacific
Gateway as the corridor of choice between North American and Asia continue to bring
greater prosperity to B.C. and all of Canada.”

“The
South Fraser Perimeter Road will help meet the transportation needs of our
growing communities and expanding markets by providing a four-lane expressway
for commercial, commuter and tourism traffic,” said Polak. “This new road is a
huge benefit to families as it will pull commercial traffic away from community
roads, easing congestion and improving travel time and safety.”

The
opening of the eastern section of the South Fraser Perimeter Road (SFPR) from
Highway 1 at 176th St. to 136th St. in Surrey coincides with the opening of the
new Port Mann Bridge to eight lanes of traffic and provides a free alternative
to drivers who do not want to pay the bridge toll.

“The
opening of the eastern section of the SFPR is welcome news for the B.C.
trucking industry as it enhances access to industrial sites along the north
shore of the Fraser,” said Louise Yako, president and CEO, BC Trucking
Association. “When completed, the SFPR will provide a critical link between
industrial and port facilities and major highway routes, saving trucking
companies time and money, which in turn will help to make our economy
stronger.”

Eastbound
and westbound traffic on Highway 1 can access the SFPR via the 176th St.
Interchange (Highway 15).

The
remainder of the SFPR, from 136th St. in Surrey to Deltaport Way in Delta, will
open to traffic in December 2013. Once complete, the SFPR will relieve
congestion between the Port Mann, Pattullo and Alex Fraser bridges, and the
George Massey Tunnel, providing route options for motorists travelling between
Langley, Surrey, Delta and the Tsawwassen ferry terminal.

The SFPR is a key piece of B.C.’s
transportation network, which will generate economic growth by connecting key
port, rail and highway infrastructure, making the province more competitive.

The
SFPR supports Canada Starts Here – The BC Jobs Plan. The plan is working to
expand markets for B.C. products, particularly in Asia, and strengthen
infrastructure to get our goods to market. The project will improve economic
and business opportunities and lead to 7,000 long-term jobs in Delta and Surrey
through improved industrial development opportunities along the corridor. In
addition, more than 4,000 jobs are being created during construction of the
entire project.

The
Government of Canada through the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative
provided $365 million towards the $1.26 billion project. The government of B.C.
contributed the remaining $899 million.

A
backgrounder follows.

Media
Contacts:

Rudy
Husny

Press Secretary

Office
of the Honourable Ed Fast

Minister
of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway

Once
complete, the South Fraser Perimeter Road will be a new 40-km, four-lane, 80
km/hr route along the south side of the Fraser River from Deltaport Way in
southwest Delta to 176th St. (Highway 15) in Surrey, with connections to
highways 1, 17, 91, 99 and TransLink’s Golden Ears Bridge connector road.

Opening
Dec. 1 is the 10 km long eastern section of the SFPR, which runs from Highway 1
at 176th St. to 136th St. in Surrey.

On
Dec. 1, the SFPR will officially be numbered Highway 17 and the existing
Highway 17 from Tsawwassen ferry terminal to Highway 99 will be renumbered
Highway 17A.

The
SFPR has the largest environmental and agricultural mitigation and enhancement
plan for a highway construction project of this size in B.C.